The Donington Historic Festival 2016

This bank holiday weekend saw the running of the Donington Historic Festival 2016, and like previous events there were plenty of cars from previous decades to see both on track and on display around the circuit. The weekend included races for various touring car vintages, sports cars ranging from pre-War through to the 1970s, a historic Formula 2 event, and the Nuvalari trophy for pre-1950 Grand Prix cars, with vehicles spanning 8 decades.

In addition to cars on track, plenty of car clubs were there showing off their vehicles, and of course there was an open paddock so spectators could see the cars from the track up close, and often with work going on.

In addition, there were plenty of famous names there too, with twice BTCC champion Colin Tarkington taking a touring car win on Saturday. The famous drivers came from a wider group than just those famous for their driving, with competitors including singer Chris Rea in a Morris Minor police car appropriately with the number 999.

As a Jaguar driver, I was pleased to see plenty of Jaguars there, including their own race. I watched the cars head on to the track for the Jaguar Classic Challenge for pre-1966 Jaguars.

The racing was as good as the cars looked and sounded, with conditions varying throughout.

The beautiful cars on show included the Stirling Moss trophy for pre-1961 sportscars.

The media were, of course, on hand to not just photograph but to interview the winners.

One of the highlights for me was the Mad Jack race for pre-World War II sports cars, named after Richard ‘Mad Jack’ Shuttleworth who won the first Donington Grand Prix in his Alfa Romeo Tipo B, as well as being an aviator. It was impressive seeing the lengthy grid battle through a 40 minute race.

It was, as always, a great event, and I am already looking forward to the Donington Historic Festival 2017.